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Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their best operating under supervisors who give clear guidelines, and performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Occupation Details

Transport Manager

Education Most of these occupations require qualifications at NFQ Levels 7 or 8 (Ordinary / Honours Degrees) but some do not.

Related Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, you may need to complete three - four years of college and work for several years in the career area to be considered qualified.

Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Road transport managers take overall responsibility for the efficient and safe running of vehicles carrying passengers and/or goods by road.

The duties of road transport managers differ slightly, depending on whether they are employed in passenger or freight (goods) transport. In companies that specialise in road freight, managers may be referred to as commercial/operations managers. They are responsible for a fleet of vehicles and their drivers. They ensure that deliveries get to customers on time and in good condition. They may also be required to have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

In passenger transport, managers are responsible for scheduling services, trips and coach holidays. They also have to apply for, and make sure they keep, an Operator's Licence. The transport manager ensures that all vehicle maintenance histories have been recorded. They also arrange renewal of tax and insurance before deadlines. They must ensure that all claims are resolved on all road accidents involving company vehicles.

Duties that both freight and passenger transport managers have in common include:

Ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy and meet legal requirements

Supervising drivers and maintenance staff

Operating within a given budget and targets

Maintaining accounts

Allocating vehicles to drivers

Making sure that drivers know where they are going and what time they have to be at their destination

Making arrangements in case of breakdowns.

Road transport managers spend a lot of time on the telephone liaising with customers and employees. They also spend time dealing with paperwork and communicating with people by letter.

In some companies, road transport managers may also be involved in the recruitment and training of staff, and the purchase and sale of vehicles.

Tasks & Activities

The following is a list of the most commonly reported tasks and activities for this occupation

Analyze expenditures and other financial information to develop plans, policies, or budgets for increasing profits or improving services.

Set operations policies and standards, including determining safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods.

Plan, organize, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.

Negotiate and authorize contracts with equipment and materials suppliers, and monitor contract fulfillment.

Collaborate with other managers or staff members to formulate and implement policies, procedures, goals, or objectives.

Monitor spending to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved budgets.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Knowledge

The following is a list of the five most commonly reported knowledge areas for this occupation.

Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Skills

The following is a list of the most commonly reported skills used in this occupation.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Personal Qualities

Good written and spoken communication skills are required. You should be tactful, diplomatic and calm, especially when dealing with tired drivers and disgruntled customers. You must be able to cope with being blamed for events beyond your control, such as bad weather or roadworks. You should have good patience and customer service skills.

A good head for figures and a knowledge of geography are also required. The ability to understand and use computers is essential. You should have good office management skills.

As so much business is conducted over the telephone, you must have a clear speaking voice. You must be able to explain instructions in a clear and simple way.

Career Guidance

Search for Related Courses from Qualifax - the National Learners Database

Higher Ed & CAO Course suggestions

If you are interested in this occupation, then the following courses may also be of interest. Note that these course suggestions are not intended to indicate that they lead directly to this occupation, only that they are related in some way and may be worth exploring.

If you are interested in this occupation, then the following courses may also be of interest. Note that these course suggestions are not intended to indicate that they lead directly to this occupation, only that they are related in some way and may be worth exploring.